Systems and methods for cooling x-ray tubes and detectors

ABSTRACT

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems that may be used for cooling objects, such as X-ray tubes and detectors, etc. Also disclosed are exemplary embodiments of methods for cooling objects, such as X-ray tubes and detectors, etc. For example, an exemplary embodiment includes a system that can be used to cool an X-ray tube and detector with one chiller. As another example, an exemplary embodiment of a method includes using one chiller to cool an X-ray tube and detector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. continuationapplication Ser. No. 14/666,401 filed Mar. 24, 2015 (issuing as U.S.Pat. No. 9,724,059 on Aug. 8, 2017), which is a continuation of andclaims the benefit of International Application No. PCT/US2013/051195filed Jul. 19, 2013 (published as WO 2014/058501 on Apr. 17, 2014)which, in turn, claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/712,802 filed Oct. 11, 2012, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/713,349 filed Oct. 12, 2012, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/714,295 filed Oct. 16, 2012. Theentire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that may be usedfor cooling X-ray tubes and detectors.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

FIG. 1 generally illustrates the basics of using two different chillers1 and 3 for cooling an X-ray tube 29 and an X-ray image detector 31.Specifically, the first chiller 1 is used for cooling the X-ray tube 29,while the second chiller 3 is used for cooling the X-ray image detector31.

The first chiller 1 in the X-ray tube loop may be an active chiller. Inwhich case, the active chiller has a built-in air conditioning (AC) loopthat, along with a liquid to liquid heat exchanger, cools the secondaryfluid comprised of water mixed with a corrosion inhibitant. The AC loopincludes a compressor, a condenser, a fan, and an evaporator. Thesecondary loop with water consists of a heat exchanger, a pump 5, and anaccumulator. With this set up, high cooling capacity below ambienttemperature can be achieved.

If the first chiller 1 is passive, the X-ray loop just consists of aradiator (air to liquid heat exchanger), a fan, and a pump. With apassive chiller, however, temperatures below ambient cannot be obtained.

The X-ray image detector has to be kept at a certain stable temperatureto obtain good quality of the images. There are different possible waysto cool X-ray image detectors, such as using cold plates.

FIG. 1 shows the complete system assembled together with long flexiblehoses 9, 11, 13, and 15. The flexible hoses 9, 11, 13, and 15 arerelatively long because the chillers 1 and 3 are situated far from theactual X-ray machine. This is due to the fact that there can be no partsin the operating area stirring the air or making noise. The chillers 1and 3 are situated in a technical room often tens of meters away and onan opposite side of a wall 17 than the X-ray tube 29 and X-ray imagedetector 31.

Also shown in FIG. 1 are arrows 19, 21, 23, and 25 representing thecoolant flow or circulation (e.g., via pumps 5 and 7, etc.) through thesystem. More specifically, the arrow 19 represents the coolant flow fromthe first chiller 1 through the hose 9 to the X-ray tube 29. The arrow21 represents the coolant flow from the X-ray tube 29 through the hose11 back to the first chiller 1. The arrow 23 represents the coolant flowfrom the second chiller 3 through the hose 13 to the X-ray detector 31.The arrow 25 represents the coolant flow from the X-ray detector 31through the hose 15 back to the second chiller 3.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a cold plate 27 of a X-ray image detector. Inoperation, the cold plate 27 works as a heat spreader. The cold plate 27may be made of aluminium in order to provide a good heat spread. Theactual detector itself (not shown) is placed on or mounted to the coldplate 27.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed ofsystems that may be used for cooling objects, such as X-ray tubes anddetectors, etc. Also disclosed are exemplary embodiments of methods forcooling objects, such as X-ray tubes and detectors, etc. For example, anexemplary embodiment includes a system that can be used to cool an X-raytube and detector with one chiller. As another example, an exemplaryembodiment of a method includes using one chiller to cool an X-ray tubeand detector.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional way that two different chillers may beused to respectively cool an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a cold plate of a X-ray image detector;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system for cooling anX-ray tube and an X-ray detector plate with a single chiller;

FIG. 4 illustrates a pair of direct-liquid (DL) thermoelectricassemblies (TEAs) positioned on a cold plate of an X-ray image detectoraccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a system for coolingan X-ray tube and an X-ray detector plate with a single chiller; and

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a system for coolingan X-ray detector plate using direct-liquid (DL) thermoelectricassemblies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

The inventor hereof has recognized that combining a chiller (passive oractive) and an active DL (direct to liquid or direct liquid) peltiercooler to provide cooling only where it is needed (e.g., “spot cooling”)can reduce the energy needed to cool an X-ray detector. In exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein, there is passive chiller/active “spot”cooling that allows for reductions in energy needed for cooling an X-raydetector while also allowing for removal and elimination of insulationfor fluid conduits (e.g., tubes, hoses, tubing, pipes, etc.) throughwhich the coolant flows that connects the passive and active parts asdescribed below. The reduced power consumption and elimination of theneed for insulated fluid conduits allows for reduced costs.

In an exemplary embodiment, a system is configured to cool a detectorplate of an X-ray system. This exemplary embodiment includes a passiveor active cooler, such as an active chiller with 6000 watts (W) ofcooling power, etc. The chiller is on the outside of the operatingenvironment for the X-ray detector. There is at least one direct-liquid(DL) thermoelectric assembly (TEA) at (e.g., situated on, mounted, to,etc.) the X-ray detector plate to be cooled, which thus provides spotcooling of the X-ray detector plate. In operation, coolant travels fromthe chiller through one or more fluid conduits to the at least one DLTEA (direct-liquid thermoelectric assembly), which is used to activelycool the X-ray detector plate.

With reference now to the figures, FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplaryembodiment of a system 100 embodying one or more aspects of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the system 100 may be used for coolingan X-tray tube 129 and an X-ray image detector 131 with a single chiller102. Accordingly, the same chiller 102 from the X-ray tube 129 is alsoused for cooling the X-ray image detector 131. The chiller 102 may besituated in a technical room on an opposite side of a wall 117 than theX-ray tube 129 and X-ray image detector 131.

The chiller 102 may be an active or passive chiller depending on thecooling needs of the X-ray tube 129. By way of example only, the chiller102 may be a WLK60 recirculating chiller from Laird Technologies, Inc.having a cooling capacity of 6000 watts. By using such a heavy dutychiller with a cooling capacity of 6000 watts for the X-ray tube 129,some of the cooling capacity (e.g., about 20 to 300 watts, etc.) can bespared and used for cooling the detector 131.

A portion of the coolant from the chiller 102 is diverted to at leastone active DL (direct to liquid or direct liquid) thermoelectricassembly (TEA) 104. For example, the portion of the coolant from thechiller 102 may be diverted by a valve, an installation configured tobranch the coolant flow, etc. at location or juncture 103.

The DL TEA 104 is situated on or mounted to an X-ray detector plate 131.The diverted coolant passes through the DL TEA 104, which is used toactively cool the detector 131. The volume of coolant that is divertedmay depend on the respective cooling needs of the X-ray tube 129 anddetector 131.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cooling need for the X-ray tube 129 maybe in the kilowatt (kW) range with a magnitude of one or more kilowatts,while the cooling need for the detector 131 may be lower in the watt (W)range with a magnitude less than one kilowatt. In such an exemplaryembodiment, a small portion of the coolant (e.g., coolant water, etc.)from the chiller 102 may thus be diverted to the DL TEA 104.

The remaining portion of the coolant is allowed to flow to the X-raytube 129 for cooling purposes. Ultimately, the coolant is allowed toflow or return from the X-ray tube 129 and DL TEA 104 back to the activeor passive chiller 102 for cooling.

Also shown in FIG. 3 are arrows 106, 108, 110, 112 representing thecoolant flow or circulation via the pump 114 through the variousconduits (e.g., tubes, hoses, tubing, pipes, etc.). Arrow 116 representsthe coolant flow through the chiller 102. The arrow 106 represents theflow of coolant from the chiller 102 through hose 118 towards the X-raytube 129 and X-ray image detector 131. The arrow 108 represents the flowof diverted coolant through the hose 120 to the DL TEA 104. The arrow110 respresent the flow of coolant from the DL TEA 104 through the hose122 heading back towards the chiller 102. The arrow 112 respresent theflow of coolant from the X-ray tube 129 through the hose 124 headingback towards the chiller 102.

The coolant flows 110 and 112 may be combined at location or juncture126 before passing through the pump 114. For example, the coolant inhose 122 and the coolant in hose 124 may be combined via a valve, aninstallation configured to combine the coolant flow, etc. at thelocation or juncture 126.

The various hoses or other suitable fluid conduits used in thisexemplary embodiment do not all need to be insulated. This is becausethe DL TEA 104 can regulate temperature within a wide range of coolanttemperatures. It can also be beneficial to have heat leakage from thehoses to the environment.

When a passive chiller is used to cool the coolant, all of the hoses118, 120, 122, and 124 are preferably not insulated as the inventor hasfound it is beneficial to have uninsulated hoses in the whole systemwhen the passive chiller is used. But when an active chiller is used tocool the coolant, the hoses 120 and 122 may again preferably be hosesthat are not insulated. But the other hoses 118 and 124 are preferablyinsulated.

When a passive chiller is used, the coolant may only be cooled down to atemperature that is above ambient temperature. As the coolant travelsfrom the passive chiller 102 to the DL TEA 104 and X-ray-tube 129, thecoolant loses heat and its temperature will drop. When an active chilleris used, the coolant will be below ambient temperature such thatinsulation is preferable to have on hoses 118 and 124 to avoid heatpickup as the coolant travels from the active chiller 102. By way ofexample, the detector plate temperature may be aimed at 30 degreesCelsius (° C.). In which case, uninsulated hoses 120 and 122 will havesome heat pickup when an active chiller is used. This is preferablebecause it is assumed that the coolant has been cooled below 30° C. bythe active cooler. With a passive cooler, the coolant would be close to30° C. such that heat leakage or heat pickup will have a marginaleffect. To summarize, hoses 120 and 122 may preferably be uninsulatedregardless of whether the chiller is active or passive. Hoses 118 and124 may preferably be uninsulated when a passive chiller is used, butinsulated when an active chiller is used.

Also, the illustrated embodiment includes flexible corrosion resistanthoses without insulation and with a total length of about 20 meters.Alternative embodiments may include a different configuration for theconduits (e.g., longer, shorter, at least partially insulated hoses,polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing, corrugated plastic tubing, etc.).

FIG. 4 shows a pair of direct to liquid or direct liquid (DL)thermoelectric assemblies (DL TEAs) 104 situated on a detector coldplate 128. Each DL TEA 104 includes an active direct plate heatexchanger or heat sink plate 130 on the bottom, which is situated onand/or in direct contact with the cold plate 128 of the detector. By wayof example, the bottom part 130 may comprise a solid aluminum block asthe active heat sink D-plate.

Each DL TEA 104 further includes a top part 132 that is the liquidblock, which may also be referred to as a passive heat sink. Each DL TEA104 further includes foam 134 in which is disposed a thermoelectricmodule (TEM). Because the TEMs are concealed within the foam 134, theTEMs are not shown in FIG. 4. Each thermoelectric module (TEM) isdisposed generally between the top and bottom parts 132, 130 of the DLTEA 104.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, each DL TEA 104 includes aninlet/outlet 136 (e.g., openings, holes, connectors, etc.) on the sideend thereof for the hoses. A hose will be coupled to the inlet to allowthe DL TEA 104 to receive the coolant flowing from the chiller 102through the hose. A hose will also be coupled to the outlet to allowcoolant to be discharged from the DL TEA 104. Also shown in FIG. 4 arethree screws 138 along the top of each TEA.

During manufacture of a TEA 104 shown in FIG. 4, through holes may bemade (e.g., drilled, etc.) to create the inlet/outlet 136 and portionsof the internal fluid flow channel within the TEA 104. To block thefluid from escaping or discharging out of the openings on the side ofthe TEA 104 opposite the inlet/outlet 136, screws (not show in FIG. 4)may be inserted into the through holes on the opposite side to block thecoolant flow. Also a hole (not shown) may be formed (e.g., drilled,etc.) into the back side of the TEA 104 adjacent the opposite side.Then, a screw may be inserted into the hole to block the coolant flow.At which point, the TEA 104 will have a generally U-shaped fluid flowchannel therein formed by the three holes made in the TEA 104 and screwsused to block the flow. Accordingly, the coolant may flow in the inlet,through or around the U-shaped channel, and out the outlet, which isside-by-side or adjacent the inlet on the same side of the TEA 104 asthe inlet.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the diverted coolant (e.g., water,etc.) may thus flow through hose 120 into the inlet in the passive sideor top plate 132 of each DL TEA 104. By diverting or directing thecoolant to the passive side 132 of the DL TEA 104 and havingthermoelectric modules (TEMs) between the passive side 132 and directplate heat exchanger 130, the temperature can be controlled directly onthe cold plate 128 of the detector 131. Also, the detector cold plate128 can both be cooled and heated by reversing polarity of the TEMs.Because the actual cooling or heating takes place directly on the coldplate 128, it is much easier to have a quicker regulation and also amore stable temperature than can be obtained with a distant chillersolution

By way of example, the following advantages or benefits (but necesarilyany or all) may be realized with the exemplary embodiment of a system100 shown in FIG. 3. For example, the total cooling need may be reducedbecause the cooling takes place where it is needed instead of in adistant chiller. With a distant chiller, heat pickup in the hoses has tobe accounted for, which, in turn, increases the cooling power needed. Itis also more difficult to control temperature of a sensitive X-ray imagedetector when the chiller is distant or spaced far away. Advantageously,the exemplary embodiment of the system 100 shown in FIG. 3 providescooling for an X-tray tube 129 and an X-ray image detector 131 using thesingle chiller 102. This provides a cost benefit because a secondchiller is not needed as represented by the X through the second chillerat the bottom of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of system 200 embodyingone or more aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, the system 200may be used for cooling an X-tray tube 229 and an X-ray image detector231 with a single chiller 202. Accordingly, the same chiller 202 fromthe X-ray tube 229 is also used for cooling the X-ray image detector231. The chiller 202 may be situated in a technical room on an oppositeside of a wall 217 than the X-ray tube 229 and X-ray image detector 231.

The chiller 202 may be an active or passive chiller depending on thecooling needs of the X-ray tube 229. By way of example only, the chiller202 in this embodiment comprises a passive cooler, radiator, and fanwhich are used to cool a coolant (e.g., water glycol mix, etc.) outsidethe operating enviroment of the X-ray tube 229 and detector 231. Thecoolant is circulated via a pump 214 so that it flows throughuninsulated conduits such that the temperature will drop even morethrough the long conduits.

Alternatively, the system 200 may include an active chiller having abuilt-in air conditioning (AC) loop that, along with a liquid to liquidheat exchanger, cools the secondary fluid comprised of water mixed witha corrosion inhibitant. The AC loop includes a compressor, a condensor,a fan, and an evaporator. The secondary loop with water consists of aheat exchanger, a pump, and an accumulator.

A portion of the coolant from the passive cooler 202 is diverted to anactive DL TEA 204 situated on or mounted to an X-ray detector plate 228.The diverted coolant passes through the DL TEA 204 to actively cool thedetector. The remaining features, components, operations, etc. of thesystem 200 may be similar to the corresponding features, components,operations, etc. of the system 100 described above.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the system 200 includes twoDL-120-24 cold plates from Laird Technologies, Inc., which provide morethan enough cooling power. This illustrated embodiment also includesflexible corrosion resistant hoses without insulation and with a totallength of about 20 meters. Alternative embodiments may include adifferent configuration for the conduits (e.g., longer, shorter, atleast partially insulated hoses, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing,corrugated plastic tubing, etc.). Likewise, the particular cold plateconfiguration and values set forth in FIG. 5 for T_(amb) (ambienttemperatures of 20° C. and 30° C.) and T_(c) (coolant temperatures of34° C. and 40° C.) are provided solely for purposes of illustration andnot limitation. Other exemplary embodiments may be configureddifferently, such as with different cold plates and/or operable atdifferent coolant temperatures. Accordingly, the exemplary lengthdimension, cold plate configuration, and temperature values are examplesand not limitations.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a system 300embodying one or more aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, thesystem 300 may be used for cooling an X-ray detector plate 328 using oneor more direct-liquid (DL) thermoelectric assemblies 304 situated on ormounted to the detector cold plate 328.

This exemplary system 300 includes a passive chiller 302. The chiller302 comprises a passive cooler, radiator, and fan which are used to coola coolant (e.g., water glycol mix, etc.) outside the operatingenviroment of the X-ray tube and image detector 331. The chiller 302 maybe situated in a technical room on an opposite side of a wall 317 thanthe X-ray image detector 331. The coolant is circulated via a pump 314so that it flows through uninsulated conduits such that the temperaturewill drop even more through the long conduits.

Alternatively, the system 300 may include an active chiller having abuilt-in air conditioning (AC) loop that, along with a liquid to liquidheat exchanger, cools the secondary fluid comprised of water mixed witha corrosion inhibitant. The AC loop includes a compressor, a condensor,a fan, and an evaporator. The secondary loop with water consists of aheat exchanger, a pump, and an accumulator.

The coolant flows from the chiller 302 to an active DL (direct to liquidor direct liquid) thermoelectric assembly (TEA) 304. The DL TEA 304 issituated on or mounted to an X-ray image detector plate 328. The coolantpasses through the DL TEA 304 to actively cool the X-ray detector 331.

Also shown in FIG. 6 are arrows 306 and 308 representing the coolantflow or circulation via the pump 314 through the various conduits (e.g.,tubes, hoses, tubing, pipes, etc.). Arrow 310 represents the coolantflow through the chiller 302. The arrow 306 represents the flow ofcoolant from the chiller 302 through hose 318 towards the DL TEA 304.The arrow 308 represents the flow of coolant from the DL TEA 304 throughthe hose 320 heading back towards the chiller 302.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, the system 300 includes twoDL-120-24 cold plates from Laird Technologies, Inc. This illustratedembodiment also includes flexible corrosion resistant hoses withoutinsulation and with a total length of about 20 meters. Alternativeembodiments may include a different configuration for the conduits(e.g., longer, shorter, at least partially insulated hoses, polyvinylchloride (PVC) tubing, corrugated plastic tubing, etc.). Likewise, theparticular cold plate configuration and values given for T_(amb)(ambient temperatures of 20° C. and 30° C.) and T_(c) (coolanttemperatures of 34° C. and 40° C.) are provided solely for purpose ofillustration and not limitation. Other exemplary embodiments may beconfigured differently, such as with different cold plates and/oroperable at different coolant temperatures. Accordingly, the exemplarylength dimension, cold plate configuration, and temperature values areexamples and not limitations.

By way of example, the following advantages or benefits (but necesarilyany or all) may be realized with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.6. Total cooling need may be reduced because the cooling takes placewhere it is needed instead of in a distant chiller. This is unlikesystems that include a distant active chiller in which heat pickup inthe hoses has to be accounted for, which, in turn, increases the coolingpower needed. In this examplary embodiment, uninsulated hoses will helpwith dissipating heat, which will allow for reduced size of the passivecooler. This may allow for a more cost efficient system.

Accordingly, disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems that mayinclude direct-liquid thermoelectric cold plates and liquid heatexchangers, where a thermoelectric assembly is mounted directly to theobject being cooled (e.g., X-ray detector plate, etc.) as opposed tobeing down-line from the object being cooled. Advantageously, thedisclosed exemplary embodiments may provide the advantage of bettertemperature control at the object to be cooled, reduced powerconsumption, elimination of the need for insulated tubes or hoses,elimination or removal of a second chiller, and/or reduced costs.

Also disclosed are exemplary methods of cooling X-ray tubes and X-rayimage detector plates. In an exemplary embodiment, the method mayinclude cooling a coolant (e.g., water glycol mix, etc.) outside theoperating enviroment of the X-ray tube and X-ray image detector. Thismay include using an active or passive chiller. The method may alsoinclude diverting a portion of the coolant to an active DL TEA situatedon or mounted to an X-ray detector plate such that the diverted coolantpasses through the DL TEA to actively cool the detector.

The method may further include circulating, transferring, transporting,etc. the coolant through one or more uninsulated conduits, e.g., hoses,etc. such that the temperature of the coolant will drop even morethrough the long hoses. When a passive chiller is used to cool thecoolant, uninsulated hoses may preferably be used to circulate thecoolant from the passive chiller to the DL TEA and X-ray tube and backto the passive chiller. In this example, the inventor has found it isbeneficial to have uninsulated hoses in the whole system when thepassive chiller is used.

When an active chiller is used to cool the coolant, uninsulated hoses(e.g., hoses 120, 122 in FIG. 3, etc.) may again preferably be used todivert or circulate the coolant to/from the DL TEA. But insulated hoses(e.g., hoses 118, 124 in FIG. 3, etc.) may preferably be used tocirculate the coolant from the active chiller and to return the coolantback to the active chiller.

As explained above, the coolant may only be cooled down to a temperaturethat is above ambient temperature when a passive chiller is used. As thecoolant travels from the passive chiller to the DL TEA and X-ray-tube inexemplary embodiments, the coolant loses heat and its temperature willdrop. When an active chiller is used, the coolant will be below ambienttemperature such that it is preferable to have insulation to avoid heatpickup as the coolant travels from the active chiller. In one particularexample, the detector plate temperature may be aimed at 30° C. In whichcase, uninsulated hoses (e.g., 120 and 122 (FIG. 3), etc.) will havesome heat pickup when an active chiller is used. This is preferablebecause it is assumed that the coolant has been cooled below 30° C. bythe active cooler. With a passive cooler, the coolant would be close to30° C. such that heat leakage or heat pickup will have a marginaleffect. To summarize, hoses 120 and 122 in FIG. 3 may preferably beuninsulated regardless of whether the chiller is active or passive.Hoses 118 and 124 may preferably be uninsulated when a passive chilleris used, but insulated when an active chiller is used.

By way of example only, any one or more of the exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein may comprise one or more thermal management solutionsfrom Laird Technologies, Inc. For example, a system disclosed herein mayinclude a liquid cooling product (e.g., WLK Series, WL Series, OLSeries, or liquid to liquid systems, etc.) from Laird Technologies, Inc.Information on various liquid cooling thermal management products fromLaird Technologies, Inc. may be found at www.lairdtech.com.

In a particular exemplary embodiment, the chiller comprises a WLK60recirculating chiller from Laird Technologies, Inc. that has a coolingcapacity of 6000 watts. By using such a heavy duty chiller with acooling capacity of 6000 watts for the X-ray tube, some of the coolingcapacity (e.g., about 20 to 300 watts, etc.) can be spared and used forcooling the detector.

By way of background, a WLK Series recirculating chiller from LairdTechnologies, Inc. is a compressor-based recirculating chiller that isoperable for controlling the temperature of the coolant, e.g., water orwater with glycol (antifreeze), etc. in a liquid circuit. The coolant isrecirculated using a pump. Heat from the coolant is absorbed by acompressor-based system and dissipated to the ambient environment. Theunit is regulated with a digital temperature controller with push buttoninterface. The unit is housed inside a sheet metal casing. Depending onthe particular cooling needs, other suitable chillers having a higher orlower cooling capacity may be used in other embodiments.

As a further example, a system disclosed herein may include one or moredirect-liquid (DL) thermoelectric assemblies (e.g., DL-060-12-00,DL-120-24-00, DL-210-24-00, etc.) from Laird Technologies, Inc.Information on various thermoelectric assemblies from LairdTechnologies, Inc. may be found at www.lairdtech.com.

In a particular exemplary embodiment, a pair of DL-120-24-00thermoelectric assemblies are situated on and/or mounted to the coldplate of the detector. By way of background, the DL-120-24-00thermoelectric assembly may be used to cool or heat either objectsattached directly to the cold plate, or enclosures by attaching athermal conductive container to the cold plate. Heat is dissipated to aliquid on the warm side of the DL-120-24-00 thermoelectric assembly. Theliquid circuit is normally of a recirculating type with a pump and aliquid-to-air heat exchanger removing the heat into the ambient air.Other suitable thermoelectric assemblies may be used in otherembodiments.

By comparison to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, a previoussolution uses chillers positioned very far away from the X-ray system tobe cooled. The inventor hereof has recognized that this previoussolution has to give extra cooling power as a countermeasure to offsetor counter the losses in the long hoses to the object to be cooled. Inexemplary embodiments disclosed herein, heat losses in the long hosesthat are not insulated may be beneficial for the application leading toa more slim design using less power. This benefit may be realized asfollows with the inventor's exemplary embodiments. For example, apassive chiller is unable to reduce the temperature of the coolant belowambient temperature. This means that the leakage or heat loss would bebeneficial as the temperature of the coolant would decrease as thecoolant travels through uninsulated hoses given that the coolant wouldlose or transfer heat to the outside environment via the hoses. Asanother example, an active chiller is able to reduce the temperature(T_(c)) of the coolant below ambient temperature (T_(amb)). This meansthat the coolant temperature (T_(c)) would increase as the coolanttravels through uninsulated hoses due to heat transfer from the outsideenvironment to the coolant via the hoses. But even if the coolant inthis latter example were heated from, for example, 10° C. to 15° C., thecoolant temperature would still be less than the temperature of thedetector cold plate (e.g., typically about 30° C., etc.) Accordingly,the closer the coolant temperature (T_(c)) is to set point of thedetector plate the less energy that is needed to cool or heat it.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail. In addition, advantages and improvements that maybe achieved with one or more exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure are provided for purpose of illustration only and do notlimit the scope of the present disclosure, as exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein may provide all or none of the above mentionedadvantages and improvements and still fall within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapesdisclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values andparticular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive ofother values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more ofthe examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any twoparticular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define theendpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the givenparameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value fora given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any valuebetween the first and second values could also be employed for the givenparameter). Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or moreranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested,overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges forthe value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”,“connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element orlayer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculationor the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (withsome approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonablyclose to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecisionprovided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with thisordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at leastvariations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or usingsuch parameters. For example, the terms “generally”, “about”, and“substantially” may be used herein to mean within manufacturingtolerances. Or for example, the term “about” as used herein whenmodifying a quantity of an ingredient or reactant of the invention oremployed refers to variation in the numerical quantity that can happenthrough typical measuring and handling procedures used, for example,when making concentrates or solutions in the real world throughinadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in themanufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients employed to make thecompositions or carry out the methods; and the like. The term “about”also encompasses amounts that differ due to different equilibriumconditions for a composition resulting from a particular initialmixture. Whether or not modified by the term “about”, the claims includeequivalents to the quantities.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”,“lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended orstated uses, or features of a particular embodiment are generally notlimited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, areinterchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if notspecifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in manyways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from thedisclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: cooling a coolant outside anoperating enviroment of an object to be cooled using an active orpassive chiller; circulating the coolant from the active or passivechiller towards the object; diverting a portion of the coolant to adirect to liquid (DL) thermoelectric assembly (TEA) situated on theobject such that the diverted portion of the coolant passes through theDL TEA for actively cooling the object and for controlling temperatureof the object; allowing at least a portion of the remaining undivertedcoolant to flow to another object for cooling of the another object; andreturning the coolant from the another object and the DL TEA back to theactive or passive chiller.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the methodincludes: diverting the portion of the coolant at a location upstreamfrom the DL TEA and the another object such that only the divertedportion of the coolant passes through the DL TEA and such that only theat least a portion of the remaining undiverted coolant flows to theanother object for cooling of the another object; and before returningthe coolant from the another object and the DL TEA back to the active orpassive chiller, combining the diverted portion of the coolant and theat least a portion of the remaining undiverted coolant at a locationupstream of the active or passive chiller.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein: the method further comprises using the DL TEA to controltemperature of the object directly on the object, whereby the object isboth cooled and heated by the DL TEA by reversing polarity of one ormore thermoelectric modules of the DL TEA; and/or cooling the coolantincludes using a single chiller such that the same single chiller isused for cooling both the object and the another object.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the method includes: cooling the coolant includesusing a passive chiller, and using uninsulated hoses to circulate thecoolant from the passive chiller to the another object and the DL TEAand back to the passive chiller; or cooling the coolant includes usingan active chiller, using insulated hoses to circulate the coolant fromthe active chiller to the another object and back to the active chiller,and using uninsulated hoses for the portion of the coolant diverted tothe DL TEA.
 5. A method comprising circulating a coolant from an activeor passive chiller through a direct to liquid (DL) thermoelectricassembly (TEA) situated on an object to be cooled such that the coolantpasses through the DL TEA for actively cooling the object and forcontrolling temperature of the object.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising using the DL TEA to control temperature of the objectdirectly on the object, whereby the object is both cooled and heated bythe DL TEA by reversing polarity of one or more thermoelectric modulesof the DL TEA.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the object to be cooledis an X-ray image detector plate such that the DL TEA is situated on theX-ray image detector plate and wherein the method further comprisesusing the DL TEA to control temperature of the X-ray image detectorplate directly on the X-ray image detector plate, whereby the X-rayimage detector plate is both cooled and heated by the DL TEA byreversing polarity of one or more thermoelectric modules of the DL TEA.8. The method of claim 5, wherein: circulating a coolant from the activeor passive chiller through the DL TEA comprises diverting a portion ofthe coolant from the active or passive chiller to the DL TEA such thatthe diverted portion of the coolant passes through the DL TEA; and themethod further comprises circulating at least a portion of the remainingundiverted coolant from the active or passive chiller to flow to anotherobject for cooling of the another object.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the method includes: diverting the portion of the coolant at alocation upstream from the DL TEA and the another object such that onlythe diverted portion of the coolant passes through the DL TEA and suchthat only the at least a portion of the remaining undiverted coolantflows to the another object for cooling of the another object; andcombining the diverted portion of the coolant and the at least a portionof the remaining undiverted coolant at a location upstream of the activeor passive chiller.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:cooling the coolant includes using a passive chiller, and usinguninsulated hoses to circulate the coolant from the passive chiller tothe another object and the DL TEA and back to the passive chiller; orcooling the coolant includes using an active chiller, using insulatedhoses to circulate the at least a portion of the remaining undivertedcoolant from the active chiller to the another object and back to theactive chiller, and using uninsulated hoses to circulate the portion ofthe coolant diverted to the DL TEA.
 11. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising: cooling the coolant outside an operating enviroment of theobject using a single active or passive chiller; and returning thecoolant from the DL TEA back to the single active or passive chiller.12. The method of claim 5, wherein: the active or passive chillercomprises a compressor-based recirculating system operable forcontrolling a temperature of the coolant in a liquid circuit; andcirculating a coolant from the active or passive chiller through the DLTEA comprises recirculating the coolant through the liquid circuit usinga pump of the compressor-based recirculating system, such that heat isabsorbed from the coolant and dissipated to the ambient environment. 13.A system comprising: an active or passive chiller for cooling a coolant;a direct to liquid (DL) thermoelectric assembly (TEA) situated on anobject to be cooled; one or more conduits for circulating a coolant fromthe active or passive chiller to the DL TEA, whereby the coolant maypass through the DL TEA such that the DL TEA is usable for activelycooling and for controlling temperature of the object; and one or moreconduits for returning the coolant from the DL TEA back to the active orpassive chiller; wherein the system is configured to divert a portion ofthe coolant from the active or passive chiller to the DL TEA and tocirculate at least a portion of the remaining undiverted coolant fromthe active or passive chiller to another object for cooling of theanother object.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the DL TEA comprisesone or more thermoelectric modules that allow the object to be bothcooled and heated by the DL TEA by reversing polarity of the one or morethermoelectric modules, and wherein the DL TEA is usable to controltemperature of the object directly on the object.
 15. The system of 13,wherein the system includes only one said active or passive chiller suchthat the same said active or passive chiller is usable for cooling boththe object and the another object.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein:the active or passive chiller comprises a passive chiller and the one ormore conduits comprise uninsulated hoses; or the active or passivechiller comprises an active chiller, the one or more conduits compriseinsulated hoses to circulate the at least a portion of the remainingundiverted coolant from the active chiller to the another object andback to the active chiller, and uninsulated hoses to circulate theportion of the coolant diverted to the DL TEA.
 17. The system of claim13, wherein: the system is configured to divert the portion of thecoolant at a location upstream from the DL TEA and the another objectsuch that only the diverted portion of the coolant passes through the DLTEA and such that only the at least a portion of the remainingundiverted coolant flows to the another object for cooling of theanother ojbect; and the system is further configured to combine thediverted portion of the coolant and the at least a portion of theremaining undiverted coolant at a location upstream of the active orpassive chiller.
 18. An X-ray system comprising an X-ray tube and anX-ray image detector plate cooled by the system of claim 13, wherein theactive or passive chiller is located outside an operating enviroment ofthe X-ray tube and the X-ray image detector plate, wherein the object tobe cooled is the X-ray image detector plate such that the DL TEA issituated on the X-ray image detector plate, and wherein the anotherobject is the X-ray tube.
 19. The X-ray system of claim 18, wherein theDL TEA comprises: a bottom part situated on and/or in direct contactwith the X-ray image detector plate; and a top part having an inlet forreceiving the coolant and a channel through which the coolant flows; andone or more thermoelectric modules disposed generally between the topand bottom parts; whereby temperature is controlled directly on theX-ray image detector plate.
 20. The X-ray system of claim 18, whereinthe DL TEA comprises: an active heat sink situated on and/or in directcontact with the X-ray image detector plate; a passive heat sink havingan inlet for receiving the coolant and a channel through which thecoolant flows; and one or more thermoelectric modules disposed generallybetween the active and passive heat sinks; whereby temperature can becontrolled directly on the X-ray image detector plate, which is bothcooled and heated by reversing polarity of the one or morethermoelectric modules.